HELP diesel disaster

[andytk]

OK here's the problem. My brother's girlfriend's Dad has unwittingly filled his diesel car with petrol.
Yes I know its pretty daft and I've never met him but as I'm the resident car nut I was asked what would happen.

Apparently he managed to drive it home from the garage (this is the point at which he relised his mistake) and its making a "funny noise".

This is all I know for now. Now I'm no expert on diesels so I just said you best take it to a garage to get the tank drained and ask their advice.

So my question is what does happen when you (partially?) fill a diesel car with petrol.

Does the resultant mix burn properly and does it cause any damage. As far as I know directly injecting petrol into a high pressure high temperature piston of air would cause it to autoignite (same as knocking).
Would it still go though and would it damage the engine?

Any advice welcome

Andy

[dimmadan]

not sure about the engine but it will wreck the CAT so I'm told, if it has one, so will fail its next MOT if CAT not replaced.

[andytk]

diesel engines have CATs??????

Not that I'm aware. At least they can't possibly, how else do you explain the clouds of smoke.....

I suspect you might be confusing this with putting leaded petrol in an unleaded car. That will definently wreck the CATs.

Andy

[MoJocvh]

yyyyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnn.

Yes diesel engines have cats.And egr.And particulate traps.
And VW PD engines run an incredibly high injection pressure.

So no smoke.

But they don't run on Petrol. No Sir.
Since he DROVE it home, the petrol has got "everywhere".
This fcuks everything, from the HIGH pressure fuel pump (derv used as lubricant),injectors (boy I bet their clean now!!!)and would play havoc with the pistons/valves/head (kinda like super pinking).
Condolances.MoJo.

Sorry, but could you describe "funny noise" please.

>> Edited by MoJocvh on Tuesday 19th November 00:05